Exposed to You (One Night of Passion 2)

“Why don’t I show them to you while you get the coffee?” Katie suggested.

“Everett really did misunderstand. I didn’t expect you to bring over dresses—”

“Do you have a dress to wear?”

“No, but I’m going shopping later this afternoon.”

“See if one of these doesn’t work for you first, then.”

Joy opened her mouth to protest, but Katie was so natural and down-to-earth, it seemed churlish to continue to contradict her. Katie and Everett not only had the golden good looks in common, Joy realized; they also were both sublimely comfortable in their own skin.

Joy poured them both a cup of coffee while Katie draped the garment bag over one of her counter stools and unzipped it.

“These gowns are from my days in Hollywood working as a tax attorney. I used to represent a lot of old-school movie stars—or old coot movie stars, as Rill would put it. I’d have to attend a lot of boring soirees and fund-raisers.”

“You don’t practice law anymore?”

“Oh, yes . . . well, in a manner of speaking. I’m now a county employee, and only part-time at that. No more designer gowns for me, at least not on the scale I used to buy them,” Katie said ruefully as she tossed the garment bag on another stool. “You know, I’m excited for Everett’s new movie, but I can’t wait for this premiere to be over and done so Rill and I can get back home.”

“Where’s home?” Joy asked at the same time she held up a sugar bowl and creamer, her brows raised in a query.

“Just the cream, thanks. Vulture’s Canyon, Illinois. Pretty odd name for a town, isn’t it? It’s entirely fitting, trust me. Smack dab in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest. Wacky artists, isolationists and weird characters abounding. I’m proud to call it home. When I’m away from Daisy for too long, I start to feel like I’m missing a vital organ. I even miss Barnyard,” Katie murmured under her breath as she whisked several dresses into the air. She noticed Joy’s confused expression.

“

Daisy is our little girl. She’s only five months. Barnyard is our dog, even though Barnyard thinks the entire town is his family. This is my first overnight stay away from Daisy. She’s staying with a good friend in Vulture’s Canyon—Olive Fanatoon. Olive takes excellent care of her, but . . . well, it’s hard being away. I miss her like sin. Thank you,” she said, accepting the cup Joy offered her. She took a sip and set it on the counter. “Okay, see if any of these appeal. Candidate number one—a little strapless chiffon number.”

Joy eyed the gown that featured a ruched sweetheart bodice, a metallic floral print and a pink sash. It was fun, flirtatious and very sexy—gypsy haute couture.

“It’s darling. It’s also made just for you, Katie,” Joy said honestly.

Katie peered at the dress as if she were seeing it for the first time. “Do you think so?”

“You’d look great in it with your hair down and a pair of dangly earrings.”

“Hmm, maybe you’re right,” Katie said, giving her a bright smile. “Guess I bought it for a reason. Okay, bachelorette number two—she may look simple, but once you get her on, she packs a punch.”

Joy made a sound of admiration when she saw the elegant, sleeveless white gown with layers of white beads and sequins and a graceful scooped neck. One thing was for certain: Katie’s gowns were far and away beyond what Joy could have afforded. Could she really borrow something so exquisite?

“It’s stunning,” Joy murmured.

“It is nice, but I’m leaning toward candidate number three. Perfect for a hot summer evening. With your coloring and figure, it’d be a showstopper,” Katie said, whipping around another gown. Joy gasped.

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” she said, instinctively reaching across the counter to touch the gown. The delicious fabric descended from a single twisted shoulder strap, falling in lustrous folds of tangerine fluid satin.

“It’d set off your tan and skin, and here’s the kicker,” Katie said walking around the counter and turning the gown. “It looks sedate, but it has a slit in the back that shows major leg action. I should have known you were a runner when I saw your legs yesterday in the coffee shop. The crowd will be left ogling in your wake.”

Joy laughed. “I’d rather do without any ogling.”

Katie waved her free hand. “They’ll be stunned speechless. You’ll never know it happened. What do you think? Everett will love it.”

“He will?”

“He loves color on a woman. Hates a washed-out palette.” She nodded toward Joy’s paintings mounted in the dining room. “I’m assuming those are your work?” Joy nodded. “Then I see you agree with Everett about color.”

“It is incredibly vibrant and rich-looking,” Joy murmured, sliding her hand along the decadently soft folds.

“Try it on?” Katie asked, twitching the dress temptingly in her hand.